Political Hotdish short take: Dayton's hip still balky

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton told reporters on Tuesday that his hip, which he injured last year and for which he got an injection, still is not quite right. “I’ve still got dislocation in my hip and I’m going to visit another Mayo specialist,” Dayton said. “I’m not in any pain, I just have the instability.”

He said he does not plan to let the injury stop him from his duties or from running for re-election.

“I won’t be able to run interference for [Minnesota Viking] Adrian Peterson next fall, but in terms of what my job description is I don’t see any impediment,” he said.

Free money

Republican gubernatorial candidate Kurt Zellers on Twitter and in e-mail last week offered his supporters a deal: a “free contribution.”

Zellers was referring to the program through which the state reimburses Minnesotans for a donation of up to $50 to a political cause.

“Did you know you get one free contribution per year?” said his e-mail appeal. “We know the holidays can be tough on budgets. But now you can help strengthen our campaign for better jobs and opportunity in Minnesota — and it won’t cost you a penny,” the e-mail said.

As another Republican pointed out, the “free” money is taxpayer money.